04 July 2010

Remembrance society seeks new members

THE RABAUL and
Montevideo Maru Society is seeking more members as it moves to construct a
memorial to commemorate the loss of life following the Japanese invasion of the
New Guinea Islands in January 1942.

The Australian War Memorial has granted in principle
approval for a Rabaul and Montevideo Maru Memorial to be established in its
grounds, and the Society aims that this be completed in 2012, to mark the
seventieth anniversary of the invasion and th sinking of the Montevideo Maru.

The ship held more than 1,000 military and civilian
prisoners of war who had been in Rabaul and its sinking in the South China Sea
was Australia’s
worst maritime disaster.

The Society is targeting an amount of $400,000 to be
raised over two years, but may need as much as $500,000 for the memorial.

The Commonwealth Government has already committed $100,000
to the project and the Society is about to begin corporate fundraising.

This is a huge challenge for a small, voluntary
organisation, but the Society ahs some good friends.

For example, it spends nothing on administration. In 2009
the chief executive of Jackson Wells Pty Ltd, John Wells, offered to adopt the
Society as a pro bono client, and
Jackson Wells provides substantial support as a result of this commitment.

Now the Society is opening its doors to people who wish to
participate in ensuring the continuing commemoration of the tragic events
associated with the Japanese invasion of the New GuineaIslands
in 1942, and their aftermath.

Ordinary membership is $50, which includes a free
subscription to the Society’s monthly Memorial
Newsletter.